Hey Hillary - you may want to do your homework before pointing fingers...

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2009/04/02/myth-percent-guns-mexico-fraction-number-claimed/

We live in an amazing, amazing world..and it is wasted on the crappiest generation.

Truer words have never been spoken...check this out. Very funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGYx35ypus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIA!

Lets see...what have we been up to since my last family post of Halloween??

I successfully completed my PTA project, which was Reflections. I was worried I wouldn't have enough entries for our school, so I begged Joey to draw a picture to enter and also take a few photos with my camera. It is really important that the children's entries are completely done independently, without help from anyone. I am proud to say that his drawing took the "Overall Award of Excellence" and his photos took "Award of Excellence" and "Award of Merit". He was so excited. No..I wasn't one of the judges! In fact, the judges were an art educator from the McNay Art Museum, two different art gallery owners, and a local artist. There were 114 entries for our school. Twenty percent are able to move to the next level (chosen by the judges). The winners work is now in the hands of the District and will be judged against other schools in our district. From there the winners will go to State and then to Nationals. Keep your fingers crossed for him.

I'm still active with the PTA as we have lots of projects scheduled through the year. I am so glad to be a part of this organization. I never thought I would be a PTA mom, but now that I am a Chairperson I realize how many programs (including field trips) they supply and how much money they raise for the school. It is wonderful.

My friend Mia and I are going to do a 1/2 marathon in the spring. We haven't chosen which one yet. She lives in California and I am in Texas, so maybe someplace in between so it can be a fun family trip too. My training officially starts today. I may post my runs for your enjoyment :)

We spent Thanksgiving in Dallas with Travis's family. Everyone came in and we had a really good time. We won't be with them for Christmas, so we did our gift exchange while together. The kids thought having a "fake Christmas" in November really rocked.

I started putting up the Christmas decorations when we got home. Tree is up, however it is only decorated in the front and only 3 ft up (kids were anxious to start). I'll do the rest later today. Stockings are hung, garland is on the staircase, village is up and so far nothing is broken yet, and presents are being bought. Joey wants a Wii this year, and it is killing me not to get it for him. However, we told him that if he got straight A's this year we would buy him one. So, I'm sticking to the program. He will have to wait until Summer and produce a report card of straight A's. So far, he is kicking some major arce in the grades. All 100% tests and papers, except for one 80%. I'm so proud of that kid. But don't worry - Santa has big plans for him!!

My sweet Jenna has pretty much asked for everything that comes across the TV screen. "Mommy...look!! Can I have that Mommy? Can I?". I tell her "You will have to ask Santa, Sweetie. We will go see him soon". However, one of the things she wanted which I have gotten is this. Grandma pitched in. Yay Grandma!

Now - I am nurturing a cold that has hung on for 3 weeks. For those who know me well, know how much I hate it when I cannot breath through my nose. I must have 2 points of entry for oxygen to enter my body at all times, even if it is mouth and only one nostril. As long as I have two, I am happy. I panic when my nose is completely stuffed up. Aaacchhhh....

So - now I will share some pictures with you:

The picture he drew which won the overall. He drew it in about 15 min, and I almost didn't enter it because I thought he just scribbled something out and didn't really take it very seriously. In the end, the judging was mainly based on creativity and originality. Please excuse the hair - he SO needed a haircut..

This was his pic that won "Award of Excellence".


"Award of Merit" This one is called Droids invade Barbies Farm.

Little sister was a bit horrified...

Playing at the park - in Dallas.


Hanging around the park - in Dallas.


Decorating the tree :)

Helping brother.. at least I was trying to

convince him of that.

Hope you all have a great day!!

Christmas Meme

I'm stealing (borrowing??) this Meme from a blog that I read. Hope she doesn't mind :)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Prefer paper, but will do bags for the odd to wrap stuff.
2. Real tree or artificial? Both, I think. I have always had a real tree, but seems everyone in Tx has a fake one so I gave in after Joe was born. This year I might put the fake one (which looks wonderfully real) in the front room in the window and a real one in our family room. I just love that fresh pine smell....
3. When do you put up the tree? The week after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take down the tree? I am usually ready to pack it all up on New Years Day.
5. Do you like eggnog? It's ok. I have egg nog creamer in my coffee right now.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I can remember a few... A pink barbie "big girl" bike with a banana seat and sissy bar on back; the barbie dream house; my first "stereo" - it would play albums AND 8-tracks; wow...I better stop now. I am really dating myself.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My father in law.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My husband and kids
9. Do you have a nativity scene? No. Which surprises me since my husband is Catholic.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. Usually late though.
11. Worst Christmas gift ever received? Can't remember one.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation and all the oldies (charlie brown, rudolph, grinch, etc..)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? A few things here and there in Nov. Most of it in Dec.
14. Ever recycled a Christmas present? Don't think so. May have donated one down the line.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Everyones goodies.
16. Lights on a tree? Definitely. All white and LOTS of them.
17. Favorite Christmas song? "Bobby wants a puppy dog for Christmas" - Merle Haggard. I love his Christmas album!! It was one of my Dads favorites when I was growing up.
18. Travel or stay home at Christmas? Seems like we are either traveling to somewhere, or people are traveling to our place. This year....we get to stay home!!
19. Can you name all Santa's reindeer? Of course...
20. Angel on top of the tree, or star? I'd like to, but just can't seem to find the right one.
21. When do you do presents? Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing this time of year? Traffic.
23. Favorite Christmas dinner? The traditional - turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, rolls.
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? For my little family to be happy and healthy. On a more commercial note.... the HP Touchsmart computer, a new zoom lense for my camera, a flour sifter, an external memory with LOTS of space, our new gym to open up down the road, my son to suddently LOVE to read, our dog to stop shedding, my body chemistry to change in such a way that my fat cells only know how to shrink, a live in housekeeper, my roots never to show, and my husband to suddenly long for the evenings to come because he just can't wait to give me a foot massage every night...with lotion :)

Ooooh doggie....this is going to be a very interesting 4 years. Mainly because I am so curious to see if everyone is still as happy a year or two from now. People are expecting BIG things from Obama. I think quite a few people voted for him and his issues, however I think the majority were just voting against the big Red Monster, or to make history with a black president (which is basically why my black friends told me they were voting for him..and the only reason they were voting for him). It came pretty clear to me when I was standing in line to vote last week. There was a couple standing 2 spaces behind me, and after about 45 min of waiting she said "I hope Obama appreciates what we are doing for him!". Once others around them knew they were voting blue they all chimed in too and conversated about how great it is going to be. I have a funny feeling that alot of people are expecting their life to change dramatically now - like that sweet lady in the video below who believes that now she will not have to work so hard to put gas in her car or pay her mortgage.

People are not patient. This has become a society of "what can you do for me" and "I want it now". It is not going to be pretty.... Hang on to your hope, because there will be change - and it may just come in the form of higher taxes which will mean less jobs (i'm already paying out 40% when I take on projects, any more and i'm practically working for free); this new gov't wanting to take control of our 401k's...never a good idea (google it...); Islamic Finance 101 and Shari'a compliant financing to assist with our US bailout on Nov 6th- WTF! - google this too because it is fascinating reading. Holy shit... call me ignorant or any other names you want, but this is crazy.

If you get a chance - click over to and read this post by Roughneck. I found him during my search for my "don't blame me, I voted for..." bumpersticker. I am not very good at putting thoughts to pen, but this California Man took all the jumbled words in my head and posted them as his own... hehe :) jk - I can only wish to post something so well written.

Good luck Obama - there are alot of people counting on you to bring change. I don't think any gov't can do what they are expecting of you.